In patients with bruxism, uncontrolled occlusal loads (chewing pressures) on the teeth at night can reach 3 to 4 times the normal level, and these lateral forces can lead to debonding of porcelain laminate veneers or micro-fractures (chipping) at the porcelain edges. When planning aesthetic restorations in these patients, the vertical occlusal length should be analyzed first, the porcelain edges should be positioned completely away from the chewing contact points (intercuspal points) of the teeth, and reinforced glass ceramics with high shear strength, such as lithium disilicate (E.max), should be preferred. Immediately after the completion of treatment, it is absolutely mandatory for the patient to use a custom-made stabilization splint (night guard) made of rigid acrylic with occlusal adaptation that distributes the vertical loads evenly to muscle function in order to protect the restorations from these destructive nocturnal forces.
